ARTIS | Leah Ritchens

Leah Ritchens - Materials Analyst

Leah is a Materials Analyst at ARTIS with over 20years experience in various laboratory roles covering. manufacturing issues, failure analysis, ageing, reverse engineering, product & process improvement. Leah supports the ARTIS team with detailed chemical analysis, interpretation of technical standards and requirements and the method development that is so important to analytical techniques. She also supports day to day tasks including procurement and management of service contracts.

Leah has developed an understanding of a diverse range of industry having worked across Avon’s internal departments and more recently with ARTIS’ external client base. Her experience covers multiple sectors including Dairy, Protection and Defence, and Automotive along with various industrial and domestic product manufacturers. Leah is key contact for a number of clients, including a major domestic appliance manufacturer where she provides an ongoing expert service for chemical analysis and material development helping them maintain their reputation in the high end of the market.

Leah has been a key part of major studies to understand the impact of chemical environments on rubber materials in various applications including dairy, oil and gas, and automotive.

Leah has recently been involved with a major provider of components for transport safety systems helping to validate the products and materials from alternative suppliers for a safety critical application. As a result of this they can now purchase with confidence from an extended supplier base, with resulting cost savings, and have the necessary understanding to be able to fully evaluate potential new suppliers for this and other components.

“Leah gave a very quick response on quotations, which enabled the paperwork to be progressed efficiently and testing to commence. She helped us solve a niggling field issue which had been around for some time. The problem was analysed efficiently and on schedule, significant information was released prior to the final report which enabled us to bring forward our own validation schedule. After the final report was produced, she showed great patience in explaining the complex detail of the tests carried out and her conclusions.”